Venue
Visitors to the park in the late 80s and 90s knew the Piazza by the Towers' ruins as the park's home for live music. A distinctive futuristic dome opposite the main entrance to the house would play host to bands, dancers, impressionists and musicians for over ten years, pumping music throughout Festival Park.
An Open Air Stage was added to the Piazza in 1987 as a new home for live music after the closure of the nearby arena on Talbot Street. The stage was originally open to the elements, which somewhat limited its usage due to the Great British weather and so a couple of seasons later the distinctive dome, which lent itself to the venue's new name, was added in 1989.
The Open Air Stage originally featured the park's house band named Red Sun along with a variety of guest artists, but with the arrival of Henry Hound as the park's mascot he took over as host of the musical revues from 1988. New iterations of the show would be produced each year but the format remained a consistent mix of live music, dance, impressions and other variety-style acts.
In 1993, Henry disappeared from the line-up but the show went on and the following year the show became Music Powerhouse, which would be the final music show in the venue and ran for the next five years. From 1994 through to 1998 the venue also played host to daily performances of the Children's Fun Factory, a variety show aimed at younger audiences.
1998 was the final year that the Festival Park Dome operated as an entertainment venue. When Festival Park was transformed into Ug land the following year, the new entertainment offering moved to the Tree House in the centre of the area, where the Ug Family and Ug Fire Brigade would perform daily.
But the Story didn't end there... The Dome became redundant until it was converted into the Fountain Square BBQ and later the Hogs Head Bar & Grill. Even then, the stage structure remained but was converted into a housing for the barbecue unit. The Dome's final season was 2007 before it made way for a purpose built restaurant venue, which is now known as Woodcutter's Bar & Grill.
Music Powerhouse
(1994 - 1998)
A fast-moving revue featuing song and dance impressions and routines. If you ever wanted to see the queen doing the YMCA, this was the show for you.
Music Mania
(1993)
After the departure of Henry, the park presented this 'solid twenty-five minutes of great entertainment, featuring a non-stop selection of music and first rate impressions in the Festival Park Dome'.
Henry Hound's Super Sounds
(1992)
Henry Hound's final show in the Festival Park Dome, where he hosted a super selection of pop music, dance and impressions. Great fun for all the family.
Henry's Mega Mix
(1991)
Join Henry Hound and a host of talented performers for his Mega Mix of popular music, dance and impressions in this exciting thirty minute show for people of all ages.
Henry's Musical Time Machine
(1990)
Join Henry and friends for a fascinating musical journey through time. This fast-moving live musical spectacular featured a top show band and promised foot tapping entertainment for people of all ages.
Henry's Festival Spectacular
(1989)
A live musical extravaganza featuring Henry Hound, special guests and the park's showband. Everyone was invited to join in with the fun.
Henry's Celebration
(1988)
In 1988 Alton Towers was celebrating it's Diamond Jubilee and Henry Hound got in on the action with his first show in the park, hosting this musical revue in The Piazza, featuring Red Sun.
Open Air Stage
(1987 - 1988)
The Open Air Stage was home to the park's house band - Red Sun. They would perform on the stage several times a day, often joined by special guests, as well as taking part in the park's parade in later years.